Quality of Life and Well-Being in Patients with Type I Diabetes Mellitus According to Treatment: MDI vs. CSII

Background: The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) requires, in addition to insulin control, appropriate clinical management, and the maintenance of healthy lifestyle habits. There have been advances in treatment, from the traditional use of multiple doses of insulin (MDI) to, more recently, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Methods: In order to understand the psychological adjustment of these patients, the clinical, health and psychological characteristics of MDI patients were compared with those of CSII patients. Results: Clinically, these latter had more diabetes education, more frequent consultations with endocrinologists and more adequate glycosylated hemoglobin values. There were no fundamental differences in health habits. In the psychological domain, CSII patients had better quality of life (greater self-care and less concern about the disease), more self-esteem, affective social support, happiness, life satisfaction; and better psychological well-being (environmental mastery, autonomy, self-acceptance, and positive relationships). Conclusions: The CSII type of treatment appears to be associated with greater psychological adjustment, through autonomy and a greater sense of control over the disease.